Digital Giza | Flint pesesh-kef inscribed for Khufu

Object(s) photograph: Site: Giza; view: Menkaure valley temple

Fine-grained flint wand (pesesh-kef) inscribed with name of Khufu. (Ritual wand used in "Opening of the Mouth" ceremony.) [08-7-31]

ID: MFAB_11.765
Alternate IDs: MFAB_11.765; 11.765
Department: Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
Classification: Tools & Equipment-Ritual implements
Period: Old Kingdom, Dynasty 4, reign of Khufu
Title: Flint pesesh-kef inscribed for Khufu
Medium: Flint
Dimensions: Height x width x depth: 18.3 x 2.8 x 0.4 cm (7 3/16 x 1 1/8 x 3/16 in.)
Credit Line: Harvard University–Boston Museum of Fine Arts Expedition
Provenance: Menkaure Valley Temple (MVT / on wall between magazines III 7 and III 8)
Bibliography: Dunham, Dows & William J. Young. "An Occurrence of Iron in the Fourth Dynasty." Journal of Egyptian Archaeology 28 (1942), pp. 57-58, pl. VI, bottom. Markowitz, Yvonne J., Joyce L. Haynes, and Rita E. Freed. Egypt in the Age of the Pyramids: Highlights from the Harvard University–Museum of Fine Arts, Boston Expedition. Boston: MFA Publications, 2002, p. 69, cat. 17a. Reisner, George A. Mycerinus: The Temples of the Third Pyramid at Giza. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 1931, p. 36 (July 19), p. 233, p. 263, pl. 61e, f, 65a, b. Roth, Ann Macy. "Fingers, Stars, and the 'Opening of the Mouth': the Nature and Function of the nTrwj-blades." Journal of Egyptian Archaeology 79 (1993), p. 73. Roth, Ann Macy. "The PsS-kf and the 'Opening of the Mouth' Ceremony: A Ritual of Birth and Rebirth." Journal of Egyptian Archaeology 78 (1992), p. 116. Thomas, Nancy, ed. The American Discovery of Ancient Egypt. Los Angeles: Los Angeles County Museum of Art, 1995, p. 122, cat. 36.
Notes: This object was excavated by the Harvard University–Boston Museum of Fine Arts Expedition, but was not recorded in any object register book. 1908: Excavated by the Harvard University–Museum of Fine Arts Expedition; 1911: assigned to the MFA in the division of finds by the government of Egypt. (Accession date: March 2, 1911)
Remarks: Registration number obtained from publication; no registration records available for 1908. Opening of the Mouth set includes: MFA 11.765 (flint pesesh-kef), MFA 11.767, MFA 11.768, MFA 11.769 (three basalt model cups), MFA 11.770 (quartz crystal model cup), MFA 11.771 (alabaster model bottle), MFA 11.772 (basalt model bottle).